IN THE CHRYSALIS

ARMED & PROTECTED

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13

Around our house, there are words we prefer not to be spoken. Words that damage our spirits. As a parent, I try my best to control such profanity. We teach our children not to say the “S” word or the “D” word. We don’t speak the actual words because we don’t want such words becoming a part of our lives. But there is one word that I couldn’t keep from becoming familiar in my home, the “C” word, Cancer. I was diagnosed with it in my thirties. It invaded our family talks. It invaded our lives. It invaded my breast and lymph nodes. However, it did not invade my spirit.

How was my spirit protected? I put on the protective armor of God, spoken of in Ephesians 6:14-18.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.

Satan would whisper in my ear that I was going to die. God would whisper in my ear that I would live — forever.

Stand firm then, with the breastplate of righteousness in place.

I began to focus on life eternal, transforming my selfishness into right living by treasuring God’s plan for my life.

Stand firm then, with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

Instead of running into my dark room and hiding, I ran to God. I made peace with my circumstances and prepared myself to accept whatever came my way.

Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

When I first received my diagnosis of cancer, I cried and cried under the sheets at night. Fear seared my mind. One day, I chose to throw back the sheets, shield myself with faith, and trust God with my life.

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Although doctors’ and loved ones’ words consoled me, NOTHING took away my fear like the word of God. It was food for my soul even as my body starved from medical treatments.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

I prayed about everything, from healing to a parking spot that didn’t require my weak body to walk too far. He listened in all situations, even when my heart yearned without words. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:26 (NIV)

Cancer is no longer a cursed word that catches on my tongue. Instead, it is a process of change that has brought me to the most blessed words there are on this Earth–the words of God. And, ultimately, to the Word of God – Jesus Christ. Armed with His promises, I can stand firm and fight this ugly disease.

God protected me from fear during my cancer treatments. I view this protection like a chrysalis during metamorphosis. Chrysalis is defined as aprotected stage of growth.1It is the armor that protects a caterpillar during an intense time as it changes into a beautiful butterfly.

Butterflies remind me of people who, despite troubles in life, rest in the knowledge that God is the Creator—a Creator who will protect His creation as He transforms His creation exactly as He planned.

Take time to consider your own chrysalis: health, finance, relationships, etc. Trials can taste bitter when you don’t consider what God is doing in your life.

Don’t let your trial become a curse word in your mouth. Instead, taste God’s sweet nectar of grace. Whatever your current circumstance, take up the armor of God — the protection He offers. Stand firm with truth, righteousness, readiness, faith, the word of God, and prayer. You are more than a conqueror when Christ leads your battle!

Think about a former struggle. Reflect on the ways that God protected you during that time.

Now, think about a struggle you currently face. How might God be helping you to stand your ground during this trial?

Get ready to face any circumstance by arming yourself with the word of God.

Transforming Verses:
Read and reflect on Romans 8.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. Romans 8:18-19

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37